“Remember them.” These words echo as we stand before the Deutsche Kriegstote des 2. Weltkrieges. This memorial stands as a somber reminder of Dusseldorf’s suffering during World War II. It urges us to reflect on the war’s impact on the city and its people.
Dusseldorf, a city on the Rhine, became a strategic target. Its role as the “Schreibtisch des Ruhrgebiets” or the “Desk of the Ruhr area” made it a focal point for British air raids. The city endured over 243 attacks. These raids claimed the lives of over 6,000 civilians.
The first major attack occurred on the night of August 1 1942. British bombers dropped nearly 14000 incendiary bombs. The bombs rained down primarily over the city center, Oberkassel, and the southern neighborhoods. The attack resulted in approximately 250 deaths in Dusseldorf. Around 12000 residents were left homeless.
However, the most devastating attack occurred on June 12 1943. This event is known as the “Pfingstangriff” or Pentecost Attack. The Royal Air Force unleashed a targeted bombing. It ignited a firestorm that decimated the historical city center. The Altstadt was chosen as the core target. Its high proportion of wood made it optimal for igniting a firestorm.
The raid commenced with Mosquito bombers marking the target area. They used red and green flares. Then the main bombardment began. Over 1300 explosive bombs and hundreds of air mines were dropped first. Their shock waves tore open roofs. Next over 225000 electron-thermite incendiary bombs were dropped. These ignited thousands of fires. A 40-square-kilometer sea of fire engulfed Derendorf, the city center and the southern districts.
The attack on June 12 1943 killed around 600 people. Over 3000 were injured. Sixteen churches were destroyed or heavily damaged. Thirteen hospitals and 28 schools were also hit. Thousands of homes were reduced to rubble.
Further attacks continued to plague Dusseldorf. A major raid on November 3 1943 claimed 622 lives. Even greater damage occurred on April 22 1944. That night 1200 people were killed and 20500 became homeless. By war’s end 93% of residential buildings in the core city area were destroyed or damaged.
In 1945 less than 250000 people lived among Dusseldorf’s ruins. Before the war the city had a population of 535000. The devastation was immense. Ten million cubic meters of debris needed removal.
Winston Churchill mentioned the June 12 attack in a speech. He cited it as proof of the British Air Force’s superiority. The Deutsche Kriegstote des 2. Weltkrieges stands as a testament. It commemorates the lives lost and the city’s resilience. It serves as a warning against the horrors of war. It reminds us of the importance of peace.